Scary Mysteries, Paranormal Stories & Haunted Locations.

This is ‘Excessively Up Close and Personal,’ the video series in which we uncover dreadful, puzzling, and unexplained stories from our supporters’ hometowns. Are you inquisitive about the spooky events that might have occurred in your old hometown? Well, join the ‘Excessively Up Close and Personal Video’ club, and our team of talented scientists will uncover tormenting stories, eerie encounters, UFO sightings, and genuine crime events within a 20-mile radius of your location. Once we gather all the information, we will then narrate the findings in an ‘Excessively Up Close and Personal Video,’ allowing you a chance to explore the darker side of your town. Additionally, the reported events will be added to the ‘Excessively Up Close and Personal’ interactive map, so you and others can access them anytime. So why wait? Join the ‘Excessively Up Close and Personal’ guide section membership and dig into the chilling history of your own backyard.

In this episode, we’ll be looking at the hometowns of Ben, Phaedra, Arwin, Melanie, and Morgan, and we have some intriguing stories coming up for you. If you haven’t already done so, this is a personal request for you to hit those lights, take a moment, and enjoy.

A town settled in the heart of Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, a place saturated with history and interest that our benefactor Ben calls home. First, we’ll be looking at Naresborough Palace, a ruined fortress dating back to the 1100s, perched on a bluff overlooking the River Nid. Its most famous occupants were four knights who took refuge in the palace after the notorious murder of Thomas Beckett. Beckett, the Archbishop of Canterbury and a close friend of King Henry II, had a falling out with the king, leading to a tragic event. Four of the king’s loyal knights took the king’s words literally, which led to Beckett’s murder inside Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170. These knights sought refuge in Naresborough Palace for a year, perhaps overwhelmed by guilt and the isolation of their exile.

It’s rumored that the palace is haunted by two ghosts locked in eternal conflict. On several occasions, witnesses have reported seeing the specter of a man with his arm raised, standing over another man lying on the ground. When approached, both apparitions disappear. It is speculated that the man on the ground is the spirit of Thomas Beckett, being pursued by one of his attackers, an everlasting reminder of one of the most significant and regrettable events in English history.

Next, we move to Old Mother Shipton Park, where, in 1488, a child named Agatha gave birth to an ill-fated child named Ursula Santale in a cavern near a well. As Ursula grew, she was feared and shunned due to her unusual appearance. She made shockingly accurate predictions about the future, foretelling events that would occur long after her death. She became known as Mother Shipton and is a legendary figure in Naresborough’s history.

The park also houses the Petrifying Well, where water with a high mineral content turns objects left in the stream’s path into stone. Even celebrities have contributed objects to the Petrifying Well, including John Wayne’s hat.

We would love to know, Ben, if you’ve ever visited the palace and experienced any unusual events there or spent time in the park, especially at night.

Now, let’s travel to San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California. San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful town with a rich history, founded in 1776 by Spanish missionaries. It is home to the famous Mission San Juan Capistrano, built in the late 1700s. It is also the hometown of our esteemed supporter, Phaedra.

First, we’ll delve into the tragic murders of the Sax family on February 9, 2014. Ashton Sachs, a 22-year-old school dropout, entered his family’s home in San Juan Capistrano armed with a rifle. He proceeded to shoot multiple rounds, leaving his parents dead and his younger brother paralyzed. His teenage sister managed to escape. After his arrest, Ashton blamed his parents for the attack, claiming he had wanted guidance from them.

Next, we’ll explore the haunted history of Mission San Juan Capistrano, where the ghost of a young girl named Magdalena is said to roam. Legend has it that Magdalena died during the earthquake of 1812, and her spirit continues to haunt the mission.

Additionally, the O’Neill Museum in San Juan Capistrano is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Jose Garcia, a wealthy tavern owner who built the house for his beloved wife. After Jose was killed in his own tavern, his restless spirit is said to watch over the street outside the museum.

Phaedra, have you heard of these stories from your hometown? We’d love to know your thoughts.